iPhone apps

I've written two iPhone apps, and so just created the obligatory support page for them. I plan to add a forum if needed; we'll see how many support questions I actually get.

Here's the support page.


And here are the links to the apps on iTunes:

Anchor Alarm on iTunes


GPS Formats on iTunes

And here's the description text on iTunes for the Anchor Alarm app:

Anchor Alarm is a easy to use application that lets you set and monitor your position relative to an anchor point. It shows your distance from the point, and bearing to the point. If your current position strays too far from that set point, an alert will sound. The main use for Anchor Alarm of course is for setting an anchor drag alarm when you are at anchor on a boat. But the app can also be used anytime you want to monitor how far you are from a starting point.

Using Anchor Alarm is very simple... just set your preferences, drop your anchor (or if you are not anchoring, get yourself to your starting point), and press the "Set Alarm" button. Pressing that button will record your current position as the "anchor position", and Anchor Alarm will begin monitoring.

If your current position changes such that you are farther away from the anchor point than the distance you set in preferences, Anchor Alarm will sound an alarm. If the current accuracy of the position information on the iPhone (ie. the GPS in the iPhone) exceeds the accuracy tolerance level you set in preferences, a different alarm will sound. If both the distance and accuracy levels are exceeded at the same time, the accuracy alarm will take precedence.

Anchor Alarm will remember your settings if you exit, for example to make a phone call or send an email. When you start Anchor Alarm, if you have an alarm set, it will begin on the Monitor tab and if not, it will start on the Set tab. Remember that if you restart Anchor Alarm, it may take a moment or two for the GPS accuracy to improve.

Tip: try to set the alarm as close as possible to the anchor itself. It helps to walk all the way to the bow, and set the alarm right when the anchor goes into the water.

Anchor Alarm includes a setting that will keep your iPhone awake, so that the GPS will continue to have good position data. Since the GPS and CPU will both continue to be active, we recommend that if you run Anchor Alarm for an extended period, that you plug it into a charger or computer so that your iPhone's battery will not discharge.

Anchorm Alarm requires iPhone software version 2.0 or later, and also requires the iPhone 3G with built in GPS. Although it will run on earlier iPhones and even the iPod Touch, the position information on those devices is not accurate enough to be useful for anchoring. Anchor Alarm does not require that you have an active WIFI or 3G connection to operate.

Note: Anchor Alarm is only a tool to help you with anchoring, and is not a substitute for good seamanship. Electronics are not bullet proof, and a prudent sailor will have redundant means of determining if an anchor is dragging.